Black Lives Matter: Anti-Racist Activities for Kids
I rarely feel this compelled to write a blog post. At first I said to myself, “well this doesn’t really have anything to do with my business. Isn’t it ‘off-brand’ to post about anti-racism, specifically when it comes to kids? I coach adults, after all.”
Then I slept on it and chose to share this for five reasons (like, c’mon did I really need permission?):
This topic is for everyone- injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere
Most of my clients and audience are women, some of which are moms, aunts, big sisters. We have a huge opportunity to educate our youth in a more direct way than we were using in the past.
My BIPOC audience, clients, business owners do not have the luxury of separating their skin colour from their “brand”. If you feel like you don’t have to think about it, that’s what we call privilege.
Also, if people don’t like that I’m posting about this they can unfollow me. In fact, losing followers gives me even more reason to keep sharing on issues of injustice, knowing that it is needed. And while we’re at it- it’s Pride Month so if it bothers you that I’m an ally of the LGBTQ2 community, again please unfollow. #sorrynotsorry
Finally, I want to practice what I preach. I preach about following your passion and it is incorporated as a huge part of my signature program. In fact, all 4 critical elements of finding your purpose, aka niche in life align in regard to this work.
I’ve recently heard the opinion that the topic of Black Lives Matter is too heavy for kids. I wholeheartedly disagree with this. To say this, is to say, “I want to protect my kids from the horrible reality of racism.” Unfortunately, BIPOC kids do not have the luxury of being sheltered from it. They are likely already experiencing it.
The reason I am so passionate about starting this conversation with kids is first, because we learn the most when we teach. And a funny thing happens when you let your non-racist guard down to become anti-racist. You start to put down your defences and uncover your own unconscious biases. You realize what your learning gaps are and how you could actively do better to be part of the change. Also, unconscious bias starts young. We have an opportunity to start embedding the awareness of racism in our culture. We cannot wait for a top-down approach. It hasn’t worked up to this point, and why would it? The people who have developed racist systems benefit from them staying the same.
Below are some ideas I’ve come up with as activities to do with your kids or send to your teachers for ideas of how to teach it in the classroom. I know a lot of teachers likely feel unprepared to teach this, but I encourage you to challenge your teachers to lean into the discomfort. I saw a meme that said “black lives matter more than white feelings.” I know, especially as women we are conditioned not to speak up too loudly and not to upset others, but if you stay silent in times of social crisis, you are siding with the oppressor.
Also, remember you don’t need to start this conversation by explaining the complexities of systemic discrimination or about talking about murder. Kids understand fairness; I know mine talk (or more like whine) about it ALL…DAY…LONG. Here are some examples as conversation-starters about fairness (there are resources below to help you navigate these activities):
Activities to Teach Kids about ANti-Racism
1. Tell them a story about how racism is embedded in our culture and where it began (ex. slavery). Keep it at their level. For my Canadian friends, include the story of Africville , Nova Scotia. This is not a problem isolated to the U.S. Canadians have their own dark history we need to own. Ask your kids open-ended questions about fairness. Ex. “Was this fair? How do you think this made people feel? What is our part in making sure we protect our BIPOC community, especially the most marginalized? How do we help people heal?”
2. Racism in the context of a game. Think of a game they like to play. Example: Monopoly; then ask them “What if for the first 400 rounds I didn’t let you have money or buy property? What if the property you did have was taken away from you? How would you feel? Is it fair? What if I made different rules for you that made it so I always won? How might you think about the game going forward? What might you tell your friends about the game? Etc, etc. No wrong answers, the point is to explore and then add examples where this happened in real life : Black slavery, colonialism (Indigenous people).
3. Read “Chocolate Me” (or another book listed below) and talk about what racism is (key: it’s different than bullying and based on skin colour).
4. Create anti-racist art. After watching a video on racism or reading a couple of books (resources below), ask your child to draw a picture or create something to illustrate either how they would make the world more fair for everyone or the message they want to send to those hurting. Even better, draw inspiration from BIPOC artists. (I was unable to find an online BIPOC art gallery or online store, so please comment if you have links).
5. Invite a BIPOC member of your community to share their own story of racism (age appropriate and relatable). Maybe you have experienced it as a person of colour. Tell them how you are overcoming it, and how they can handle it. For my white friends— tell them how you are becoming more aware of your privilege and unconscious bias, and how you are making changes. Invite them to commit to something as well. For example, I have committed to no longer muting myself and being anti-racist as opposed to non-racist when it feels uncomfortable.
6. Anti-Racist Superheroes. Share stories of people who have overcome racism or are anti-racist and ask your kids to think of examples of what an anti-racist superhero might look like and what their superpower might be. Give him/her a name. Perhaps when they colour their skin, ask why they chose that colour and open a conversation about the beauty of our diverse skin colours. Bring toys and other characters into the mix like princesses, cartoon characters, etc.
anti-racist resources for teachers, parents, and kids
1. CNN Sesame Street Town Hall — 28 mins
A diverse group of professionals talk about tricky subjects like white privilege and why we even have different skin colours
2. A Black Teacher Shares her Lesson Plan on Teaching Racism
Naomi O’Brien uses the book Chocolate Me, mentioned above, to teach K-1 kids about racism. I like this book option because it deals with skin colour directly and helps kids build empathy through the perspective of a black child. Many books talk around the issue of race or are ethnocentric (from a white perspective with white only characters).
Online Reading of “Chocolate Me”:
3. A super short video on how to approach the topic of racism with kids:
4. Public library with online readings by a local educator, Tiffany Whorrie. All you need to do is select one of the many books on the shelf to read and then return to the main library to select another one:
*Update — the content in this online library was created by Misty Reeve, from St. Albert Public Schools
5. Books for Purchase to support BIPOC and anti-racist authors:
https://www.todaysparent.com/family/books/kids-books-that-talk-about-racism/
6. Lesson plan on Africville:
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/africville
Includes this short video:
I hope you find this resource useful. Please share, support and join me on this journey of becoming anti-racist. If you post anything to social media, a picture of your kids learning, their art that they create, please tag me on Instagram @coachjasleen.